Bulk material handling apparatus

ABSTRACT

A bulk material handler is supported by a pivotable truck and two independently steerable and independently driven main wheels which stradle a loader equipped boom. For movement in a direction generally parallel to the boom, the main wheels are turned in synchronism in parallel planes. For slewing, the main wheels are turned in opposite directions until their rolling axes intersect the turning axis of the truck. For linear movement transverse to the boom, the main wheels are turned until their rolling axes are parallel to the boom. The vertically rotatable boom is pivoted at a point above the turning axis of the truck.

States Patent [191 [21] Appl. No.: 188,000

[52] US. Cl. 198/233, 214/10 [51] Int. Cl. 865g 41/00 [58] Field ofSearch 214/10; 198/233, 198/36 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 1,512,382 10/1924 Walsh 198/233 1,810,119 6/1931 Bebinger198/233 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,150,604 4/1969 Great Britain214/10 1 July 17, 1973 Primary ExaminerEvon C. Blunk AssistantExaminer-Hadd S. Lane Attorney-Richard V. Westerhoff 57 I ABSTRACT Abulk material handler is supported by a pivotable truck and twoindependently steerable and independently driven main wheels whichstradle a loader equipped boom. For movement in a direction generallyparallel to the boom, the main wheels are turned in synchronism inparallel planes. For slewing, the main wheels are turned in oppositedirections until their rolling axes intersect the turning axis of thetruck. For linear movement transverse to the boom, the main wheels areturned until their rolling axes are parallel to the boom. The verticallyrotatable boom is pivoted at a point above the turning axis of thetruck.

5 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures e 4 99 22 e 65 S 45 w 99 25 a /7 f: 2/

an 37;: 3a

Patented July 17, 1973 3,746,150

4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented July 17, 1973 3,746,150

4 Sheets-Sheet I5 Patented July 17, 1973 3,746,150

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 6.

Fla. 7.

BULK MATERIAL HANDLING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention This invention relates to bulk material handlers such asexcavators and reclaimers used for recovering particulate matter fromstock piles, and more particularly, to self-propelled excavators andreclaimers which operate independently of any fixed structure.

2. Prior Art In recovering particulate matter such as coal, ores etc.from stock piles, it is necessary that the loading element be advancedas the stock pile is consumed. This is also true of excavators. Thereare generally two types of reclaimers which perform this function. Inone type, a bridge or boom carrying the loading element moves along afixed structure, commonly on steel rails. An example of this type ofreclaimer is disclosed in US. Pat. No. 1,856,] 18, in which a boomstructure for stacking and reclaiming pulp wood moves in an arcuate pathon steel rails. In the other type of reclaimer, the device operatesindependently of any fixed structure. This invention relates to thelatter type of reclaimer and similar types of excavators.

Commonly, these bulk material handlers are mounted on a bed which issupported either by a crawler or at least four wheels mounted on twoaxles. The bed supports a boom which in turn carries the loadingelement. A common type of loading element is a bucket wheel whichdeposits the particulate matter on a conveyor running along thelongitudinal axis of the boom. In many of the prior art materialhandlers, the boom is mounted on a turntable on the bed so that as thebed is advanced longitudinally into the pile, the boom may be slewed toincrease the reach of the bucket wheel. The bed can be steered in aconventional manner, or instance, with the two wheels on one end of thevehicle rotated in synehronism about their turning axes, however,generally once positioned with respect to the pile, the bed moveslinearly and lateral coverage is attained by slewing the boom.

The greatest limitation of the prior art bulk material handlers is thatthe turntables are constructed of massive components which add to theweight and cost of the apparatus. In addition, counterbalancing of theboom is required for satisfactory operation of the tumtable. Often thisis provided for by a second conveyor for transferring the particulatematter from the conveyor on the boom to other apparatus. However, sincethe counterbalancing conveyor slews with the boom, the other apparatusmust accomodate for the arc circumscribed by the discharge end of thisconveyor.

In a recent French design, a boom carrying a bucketwheel loader ispivoted in overlapping relationship on an elongated body. The elongatedbody is supported at the end opposite the free end of the boom by twowheels mounted on a common axle. The other end of the elongated body issupported by a rotatable truck. When the wheels of the truck are alignedwith the wheels on the common axle, the reclaimer can be driven linearlyin the direction of the longitudinal axis of the reclaimer. With thetruck turned 90, the entire reclaimer may be slewed.

US. Pat. No. 3,391,776 discloses a combination scraper and loadersupported by a steerable tail wheel and a pair of main wheels whichremain in parallel planes while being steered independently of the tailwheel. The main wheels are disengaged from the steering mechanism andpermitted to swing 180 about the turning axis to an inboard positionwhere they are reconnected to the steering mechanism for movement over ahighway where there are limitations on vehicle width.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention, the elongatedbody of a bulk material handler is supported at one end by a rollingsupport, such as a rotatable truck, and at the other end by twoindependently steerable main wheels mounted on either side of theelongated body. Independent steering means for the rotatable truckincreases the maneuverability of the vehicle. A boom is pivotallymounted on the elongated body for movement in a vertical plane parallelto the longitudinal axis of the elongated body. Preferably, the pivotpoint of the boom is vertically aligned with the vertical pivot of therotatable truck. In the disclosed embodiment of the invention, aconveyor mounted on the boom receives load deposited thereon by a bucketloader rotatably attached near the free end of the boom. v

The steering mechanism for the main wheels is capable of turning themain wheels in the same angular direction, which may be considered afirst mode of operation, or in opposite angular directions, which may beconsidered a second mode of operation. Each main wheel is equipped withits own driving motor. With the main wheels aligned in parallel planesand with the steering mechanism in the first mode of operation, thereclaimer may be driven in a conventional manner in a straight or curvedpath generally aligned with the longitudinal axis of the elongated body.By operating the steering mechanism in the second mode of operation, themain wheels may be turned in opposite directions until their rollingaxes intersect the vertical pivot of the rotatable truck. In thisconfiguration, operation of the driving motors to drive the main wheelsin the same angular direction causes the entire reclaimer to slew aboutthe rotatable truck. If the main wheels are further rotated in oppositedirections until their rolling axes are parallel to the boom and therotatable truck is turned until its rolling axis is also parallel to theboom, the reclaimer may be driven in a path generally transverse to theboom, This configuration is useful in certain types of loadingoperations.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, wheel supports pivotallymounted to either side of the eongated body support the main wheels onstub axles. Hydraulic rams connected to steering anns obliquelyextending from the wheel supports effect the turning of the main wheelsthrough angles in excess of By providing means through which the bulkmaterial handler may be driven in a line parallel to the boom and meansthrough which the boom may be slewed without the need for a turntable,the weight and complexity of the reclaimer may be greatly reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An understanding of the invention maybe gained by reference to the description of the preferred embodiment ofthe invention and the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a reclaimer according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the reclaimer of FIG. 1 with thelimits of travel of certain components shown in dash-dot lines;

FIG. 3 is a sectional end elevational view of the reclaimer taken alongthe lines III-III in FIG. 2 with some parts missing;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the reclaimer configurated for one mode ofoperation and with the positions of certain components in an alternatemode of operation shown in dashed lines and with some parts missing;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the bucket wheel and bucket wheel drivetaken along the line VV in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the reclaimer in a first mode of operation; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the reclaimer in a second mode of operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Reference toFIGS. 1 through 4 reveal that the reclaimer comprises an elongated bodyidentified by the general reference character I supported at one end byrolling support 3 and at the other end by main wheels 5 and 7. Therolling support 3 is illustrated as a truck carrying two wheels 9 and 11mounted on a common axle l3 and rotatable about the vertical axis 15. Itis to be appreciated that the rolling support may take other forms suchas wheels mounted on a fixed axle or a crawler, however, it is preferredthat the rolling support be rotatable about a vertical turning axis. Itis also preferred that the rolling support be provided with a steeringmechanism 16.

Wheel mounts l7 and 19 extending horizontally from either side of theopposite end of the elongate body 1, receive king pins 21 and 23 whichpivotally mount the wheel supports 25 and 27 for the main wheels. Themain wheels 5 and 7 are connected to the wheel supports 25 and 27respectively by stub axles 29 and 31. Steering arms 33 and 35 extendrearwardly from wheel supports 25 and 27 respectively and are generallyperpendicular to the associated stub axles. The cylinder 37c of doubleacting hydraulic ram 37 is pivotally connected to a boss 41 affixed tothe side of the elongated body. The plunger 37p of the hydraulic ram ispivotally connected to the steering arm 33 through an appropriatepivotal connection. Similarly, double acting ram 39 is pivotallyconnected to boss 33 in the opposite side of the elongated body and tosteering arm 35 associated with the main wheel 7. The operation of thesehydraulic rams in effecting the turning of the main wheels will bediscussed below.

The main wheels 5 and 7 are separately driven by individual drive units45 and 47 mounted directly on the stationary drums at the center of eachwheel as is conventional with heavy equipment. The drive unitsillustrated are hydraulicaly operated, however, electric drive unitscould also be utilized.

The elongated body 1 houses the equipment necessary to develop thehydraulic pressure, and in the case of electric drive motors, theelectric power necessary, to operate the machine. This equipment isaccessable through the doors 49 on either side of the elongated body. l

A boom identified by the general reference character 51 is pivotallymounted on top of the elongated body 1 through shaft 53 and flanges 55and S7. The boom is pivoted at the end of the elongated body adjacentthe rotatable truck 3 and extends beyond the opposite end of theelongated body in overlapping relationship. The vertical angle assumedby the boom is controlled by hydraulic ram 59 pivotally connected toboss 6| on the underside of the boom and boss 63 extending along thecenter line of the lower front end of the elongated body.

A belt type conveyor 65 extends substantially the full length along thetop of the boom. The conveyor is driven by a drive unit 67 connected tothe conveyor adjacent the pivoted end of the boom. Again, this driveunit is illustrated as a hydraulic motor but could also be an electricdrive.

As best seen by reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, a bucket wheel side loaderidentified by the general reference character 69 is rotatably mountednear the free end of the boom on shaft 71. The shaft 71 is joumaled inroller bearing mounts 73 resting on the flanges 75 on either side of theboom 51. The shaft 71 is rotated by two drive units 77 and 79 disposedon either side of gear 81, which is fixedly attached to the shaft 71. Asin the case of the other drives, the units 77 and 79 may be eitherhydraulic drives as illustrated or electric drives. The shaft 71 is alsojoumaled through roller bearings to the gear housing 83 upon which thedrive units 77 and 79 are mounted.

The bucket wheel 69 is composed of an octagonal frame 84, the perimeterof which is offset in a direction towards the conveyor from its hub 86mounted on the shaft 71. Mounted on each of the faces of the octagonalframe is a bucket 87 which communicates with an asso' ciated partitionedchamber in the frame 84. Baffles 89 are diagonally mounted in each ofthe octagonal chambers with the edge of the baffle away from theconveyor mounted closer to the buckets. In operation, the particulatematter is scooped up by the buckets near their lower most point oftravel as viewed in FIG. 2 as the bucket wheel rotates in thecounterclockwise direction. As the bucket wheel continues to rotate, theparticulate matter slides down the bucket until it falls into theassociated chamber where it is deflected by the baffle 89 against aretainer 91. The retainer 91 however does not block the entire side ofthe chamber and as the particular bucket reaches its highest point oftravel, the particulate matter is deposited on the conveyor 65 withoutspillage. Perhaps a better understanding of the arrangement can beappreciated from the perspective view of FIG. 1.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the boom may be raised by hydraulic ram 59to an angle of approximately 18 above the horizontal. It can also beseen that with the upper surface of elongated body 1 sloping from thepivot point of the boom toward the front of the reclaimer, the boom mayassume a negative angle with respect to the horizontal, which permitsthe bucket wheel to excavate to a point below the level upon which thewheels of the reclaimer are resting. Such ver tical coverage, which wasnot obtainable on prior art reclaimers not utilizing a turntable,permits blending of the articulate matter removed from the pile.

Toward the front end of the elongated body, a frame 95 having twovertical legs and a cross bar stradles the boom. Mounted well up on oneof the legs of this frame is an operator's cab 97 which houses thecontrols for the reclaimer. A series of rods 99 horizontally affixed tothe side of the elongated body and the leg of the frame 95 form a ladderproviding access to the operators cab. Railings 100 along either side ofthe upper surface of the elongated body provide protection for workersservicing the conveyor.

The controls provided for the operator permit control of the drivingmotors on the main wheels, the turning of the main wheels, the turningof the truck, the raising and lowering of the boom, the operation of theconveyor and the operation of the bucket wheel loader. With the mainwheels 5 and 7 of the reclaimer positioned as shown in FIG. 2, and asshown in dashed lines in FIG. 4, with their rolling axes perpendicularto the boom and therefore the longitudinal axis of the elongated body,the vehicle may be operated as any conventional vehicle with threepoints of support. That is, the vehicle may be driven forward toward thebucket wheel loader by applying power to the motor 45 to drive the mainwheel 5 in a clockwise direction as viewed from the side of thereclaimer shown in FIG. 2 and by operating the motor 47 to drive themain wheel 7 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed from the otherside of the relcaimer. The reclaimer may be backed up of course byoperating each of these motors in the opposite directions. The reclaimermay be steered in this mode of operation by turning the rotatable truck3 and/or simultaneously turning the main wheels 5 and 7 so that theyremain in parallel planes. The main wheels 5 and 7 may be maintained inparallel planes by operating the double acting hydraulic rams 37 and 39an equal amount in opposite directions. That is, if the vehicle were tomake a left turn while traveling forward, the ram 37 would be extendedto turn the wheel 5 left while the ram 39 was retracted an equal amountto turn the wheel 7 to the left. Turning of the rotatable truck in thedirection opposite to the direction in which the main wheels are turned,enables the vehicle to turn very sharply. Turning the rotatable truck anequal amount in the same direction as the main wheels enables thevehicle to move obliquely to the boom.

Once the reclaimer has been positiond relative to the stock pile to beworked on, the main wheels 5 and 7 may be swiveled about theirrespective king pins in opposite directions until they are in theposition shown in FIG. 4 in which their rolling axes 6 and 8 intersectat a point on the turning axes of the rotatable truck. In this position,the entire reclaimer may be slewed about the turning axis of therotatable truck by driving each of the main wheels in the same angulardirection as viewed by one facing the wheels. For instance, if thereclaimer is to be slewed in the counterclockwise direction as viewed inFIG. 4, each of the main wheels would be driven in a clockwisedirection. It should be remembered that when the reclaimer wasbeingoperated in the conventional manner, one of the main wheels turnedin a clockwise direction, while the other one turned in acounterclockwise direction. During this slewing operation, the steeringmechanism for the rotatable truck 3 is disengaged so that the elongatedbody may pivot freely about the turning axis of a rotatable truck. Inrepositioning the main wheels from the conventional position shown inFIG. 2 to the slewing position shown in FIG. 4, both hydraulic rams 37and 39 are extended thereby turning wheel 5 in a counterclockwisedirection and wheel 7 in a clockwise direction about their respectiveturning axes.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two modes of operation of the reclaimer. Asshown in FIG. 6, the reclaimer is configured for operating on the endface 10lf of elongated pile 101 by slewing in the manner previouslydescribed. Considering that the center of the bucket whel is 50ft. fromthe pivot of the boom, the reclaimer can work on a pile lOOft. wide byslewing through an arc of 180.

FIG. 6 also illustrates how the reclaimer may be used with otherequipment. Specifically, a stacker-reclaimer comprising a tower 103rotatably mounted on a turntable 105 which moves on rails 107 parallelto the axes of the pile is shown. A conveyor 109 carried by the tower103 receives the particulate matter from the reclaimer conveyor 65 anddeposits it on a tripper conveyor 111 running parallel to the pile. Itshould be appreciated that since the discharge end of the reclaimerconveyor is located over the slewing axes of the reclaimer, thestacker-reclaimer does not have to be repositioned as the reclaimerslews.

The perspective view of FIG. 1 also illustrates the reclaimer in thismode of operation. Notice that a funnel 110 insures that theparticulatematter is deposited on the conveyor 109. If desired, anauxiliary conveyor 65a shown in FIG. 2 may be cantilevered from thereclaimer under the main conveyor 65. This conveyor is not necessary forcounterbalancing as in the turntable type of prior art reclaimers. Anycounterbalancing necessary can be provided for by the concentration ofmass in the area of the rotatable truck.

FIG. 7 illustrates a mode of operation of the reclaimer in which therolling axes of the two main wheels and the rotatable truck are turneduntil they are parallel to the boom. In this configuration, the reclaimer may be driven in a direction transverse to the boom and may beutilized as shown in FIG. 7 to cut a path parallel to the longitudinalaxis of an elongated pile 101. As shown in FIG. 7, a truck may be drivenin synchronism with the reclaimer to receive the particulate matter fromthe discharge end of the conveyor.

It is evident that the disclosed reclaimer is extremely versatile andmay be used in many modes of operation. It should also be understoodthat the reclaimer may be utilized in conjunction with other types ofstock pile handling equipment and that those depicted are onlyillustrative.

I claim:

1. A bulk material handler comprising:

a. an elongated body;

b. a boom pivotally mounted near one end of said elongated body forvertical movement in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of saidelongated body and with the boom extending beyond the op posite end ofthe elongated body;

c. a conveyor extending for a substantial length along the axis of saidboom;

d. a pivotally mounted wheel assembly rotatable about a vertical turningaxis passing through the longitudinal axis of the elongated body forsupporting said one end of said elongated body;

e. a pair of main wheels straddling and vertically overlapping theopposite end of the elongated body for supporting said opposite endthereof, said main wheels each being rotatable about a vertical turningaxis in excess of 90;

f. independent drive means for each of said main wheels;

g. main wheel steering means for turning said main wheels in the sameangular direction about their vertical turning axes and in oppositeangular directions about their turning axes in excess of 90; and

h. independent steering means for turning said pivotally mounted wheelassembly about the vertical turning axis.

2. The bulk material handler of claim 1 including:

a. main wheel mounts extending outward generally horizontally fromeither side of said opposite end of said elongated body, with at leastthe outer portion of each of said main wheel mounts extending obliquelyaway from said one end of the elongated body and with the longitudinalaxis of each outer portion intersecting the associated main wheel; and

b. main wheel support members pivotally mounted near the end of the mainwheel mounts for rotation in a horizontal plane, said main wheel supportmembers including stub axles extending outwardly upon which said mainwheels are rotatably affixed and said steering arms extendinghorizontally from aid main wheel support members andconnected to saidmain wheel steering means.

3. The bulk material handler of claim 2 wherein said main wheel steeringmeans includes means for turning said main wheels in opposite angulardirections about their vertical turning axes between a first homeposition in which the rolling axes of both of said main wheels areperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of aid elongated body and asecond home position in which the rolling axes of both of said mainwheels are parallel to the longitudinal axis of said main wheels, andmeans for rotating said main wheels about their vertical turning axes anequal amount in the same direction from each of said home positions.

4. The bulk material handler of claim 3 wherein said independentsteering means includes means for turning the rotatably mounted wheelassembly about the vertical axis the same amount and in the samedirection as the main wheels from each of the main wheel home positions.

S. The bulk material handler of claim 1 wherein said main wheel teeringmeans include means for turning said main wheels in opposite directionsabout their vertical turning axes between a position in which therolling axes are parallel and a position in which the rolling axes ofboth of said main wheels simultaneously intersect the vertical turningaxis of said pivotally mounted wheel assembly.

1. A bulk material handler comprising: a. an elongated body; b. a boompivotally mounted near one end of said elongated body for verticalmovement in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of said elongatedbody and with the boom extending beyond the opposite end of theelongated body; c. a conveyor extending for a substantial length alongthe axis of said boom; d. a pivotally mounted wheel assembly rotatableabout a vertical turning axis passing through the longitudinal axis ofthe elongated body for supporting said one end of said elongated body;e. a pair of main wheels straddling and vertically overlapping theopposite end of the elongated body for supporting said opposite endthereof, said main wheels each being rotatable about a vertical turningaxis in excess of 90*; f. independent drive means for each of said mainwheels; g. main wheel steering means for turning said main wheels in thesame angular direction about their vertical turning axes and in oppositeangular directions about their turning axes in excess of 90*; and h.independent steering means for turning said pivotally mounted wheelassembly about the vertical turning axis.
 2. The bulk material handlerof claim 1 including: a. main wheel mounts extending outward generallyhorizontally from either side of said opposite end of said elongatedbody, with at least the outer portion of each of said main wheel mountsextending obliquely away from said one end of the elongated body andwith the longitudinal axis of each outer portion intersecting theassociated main wheel; and b. main wheel support members pivotallymounted near the end of the main wheel mounts for rotation in ahorizontal plane, said main wheel support members including stub axlesextending outwardly upon which said main wheels are rotatably affixedand said steering arms extending horizontally from aid main wheelsupport members and connected to said main wheel steering means.
 3. Thebulk material handler of claim 2 wherein said main wheel steering meansincludes means for turning said main wheels in opposite angulardirections about their vertical turning axes between a first homeposition in which the rolling axes of both of said main wheels areperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of aid elongated body and asecond home position in which the rolling axes of both of said mainwheels are parallel to the longitudinal axis of said main wheels, andmeans for rotating said main wheels about their vertical turning axes anequal amount in the same direction from each of said home positions. 4.The bulk material handler of claim 3 wherein said independent steeringmeans includes means for turning the rotatably mounted wheel assemblyabout the vertical axis the same amount and in the same direction as themain wheels from each of the main wheel home positions.
 5. The bulkmaterial handler of claim 1 wherein said main wheel teering meansinclude means for turning said main wheels in opposite directions abouttheir vertical turning axes between a position in which the rolling axesare parallel and a position in which the rolling axes of both of saidmain wheels simultaneously intersect the vertical turning axis of saidpivotally mounted wheel assembly.